A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 17 Return
Five years have passed in the blink of an eye, and next month, on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, will be the 100th birthday of the patriarch Zhang Sanfeng. The entire Wudang community is already bustling with activity.

Back mountain
Gu Xu was explaining sword techniques to Wei Bi and Song Qingshu. Five years had passed, and the two had grown into young adults. Thanks to Gu Xu's careful guidance, their martial arts skills had improved considerably.

"Now the foundation of the two of you is very solid, and your internal strength is progressing step by step. However, you can put more effort into your fist and sword skills. Bi'er, you should continue to practice the Thirteen Swords of the Divine Gate. If you can master this sword technique, you will have the ability to protect yourself in the future."

After instructing Wei Bi, Gu Xu said to Song Qingshu, "Qingshu, your personality is more suited to the 'Soft Sword' technique. You should practice this sword method from now on."

The two nodded in agreement. As the three were talking, someone came looking for Gu Xu, saying that his senior uncle had invited him to the Zixiao Palace, saying that there was something important to discuss.

Upon hearing that it was his senior uncle who was looking for him, Gu Xu dared not delay. He gave the two a few more instructions and then headed towards the Zixiao Palace.

Half an hour later, Gu Xu arrived in the hall. Song Yuanqiao was overjoyed and said to Gu Xu, "Nephew, your second senior uncle has sent a letter saying that he has seen Fifth Brother and is currently in the Heavenly Eagle Sect." Song Yuanqiao sighed and said, "The letter says that Fifth Brother has married Yin Susu and has a child named Wuji."

Gu Xu said, "Uncle-Master, you must have something to tell me to do when you summoned me here." He learned that Zhang Cuishan had returned to the Central Plains, and it seemed that this grand drama had begun. However, with his involvement, he was unsure how things would unfold. In any case, he could not let the tragedy happen again.

“But I have something to tell you. My second brother’s letter said that there are still sects like Kunlun, Kongtong, and Huashan monitoring the Tianying Sect. Once my fifth brother leaves his post, there may be some trouble. Your martial arts are superb. Only if you go in person can I feel at ease.” Song Yuanqiao was unable to leave because his master’s birthday was approaching and he was busy with many things. He could only send Gu Xu to meet him. Once his fifth brother arrived safely at Wudang, the matter would be under his control.

"Don't worry, Uncle-Master, I'll go to Jiangnan right away and bring Fifth Uncle and the others back."

"This journey will certainly not be smooth sailing. We should bring some of those disciples along as well, so that Kunlun and other sects will not underestimate Wudang."

The two talked for a while longer. After leaving the main hall, Gu Xu immediately gathered his men and traveled day and night without stopping. Two days later, they arrived at the headquarters of the Tianying Sect in Jiangnan.

As soon as the Wudang troops arrived, the Kunlun and other sects immediately knew that Xihua Zi was now in charge of the Kunlun sect here. After receiving the news, Xihua Zi's face was quite ugly. The others also looked solemn. The Wudang sect's arrival in such a grand manner was clearly a warning to those who were not up to par: don't even think about messing with the people of Wudang.

Xi Huazi scanned the people present and immediately said loudly, "Everyone, the Wudang Sect has fallen into depravity and has actually colluded with evil sects like the Tianying Sect. This has truly disgraced our six major sects. Zhang Cuishan is even more shameless, having an affair with a witch like Yin Susu. He has disgraced the name of chivalry."

Everyone present was quick-witted. Xi Hua Zi's words were merely an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Wudang Sect and Zhang Cuishan, thereby gaining a righteous pretext to manipulate them. The crowd watched quietly as Xi Hua Zi prepared to say something next.

"Gentlemen, as the saying goes, good and evil cannot coexist. Now the great cause is in our hands. As long as we work together, what are we afraid of that the Wudang Sect will not bow down?" Xi Huazi spoke eloquently. Apart from the minor sects that were somewhat moved, the leaders of the Kongtong and Huashan sects remained silent.

"Brother Pei, Brother Dou, what do you two think?" Xi Hua Zi was pleased to see that he had stirred up the enthusiasm of the crowd. He was displeased to see that Pei Feng of the Huashan Sect and Dou An of the Kongtong Sect did not say a word.

"Brother Xihuazi is right. Then we shall follow the lead of the Kunlun Sect." Seeing that they could not avoid it, the two exchanged a glance and made a plan in their hearts.

The Kunlun Sect is the second largest sect after Shaolin and Wudang. With them in the lead, I will cheer them on from behind. It would be best if things succeeded, but even if they failed, if the Wudang Sect wanted to settle scores, they would go after the Kunlun Sect.

Pei and Dou were not inexperienced greenhorns like Xi Hua Zi. Wudang was renowned and not to be trifled with. Didn't you see that even the Shaolin Sect didn't dare to send anyone to block their way? By praising the Kunlun Sect so highly, they were testing Wudang. They must have a backup plan. It was truly a clever scheme.

But this is good too. With someone like Xi Hua Zi around, it's quite peaceful for me to stay behind the scenes.

Seeing that he had persuaded everyone, Xi Huazi felt a great sense of accomplishment and immediately said, "Let's not delay any longer, everyone, let's go together."

Gu Xu led twenty disciples to the Heavenly Eagle Sect's headquarters. After announcing their names, someone went to inform them, and soon Yu Lianzhou and two others arrived in person.

Seeing the unfamiliar man beside Yu Lianzhou, Gu Xu knew that this was Zhang Cuishan. He immediately greeted him, "Second Uncle, Fifth Uncle, Sixth Uncle, I have been instructed by my eldest uncle to come and escort Fifth Uncle back to the mountain."

Yu Lianzhou said "okay" and then led Gu Xu to the main hall, while the other disciples were arranged to stay.

Upon entering the main hall, Gu Xu found four people. At the head of the table sat an elderly man with a slightly aged face, but bright, piercing eyes and striking white eyebrows. To his left was a resolute middle-aged man, to his left a plain-looking elderly man, and to his right a beautiful woman. After Yu Lianzhou introduced them, he took his seat. Yin Tianzheng stared at Gu Xu, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes, and said enviously to Yu Lianzhou, "Wudang is indeed extraordinary. For a third-generation disciple to possess such skill, Master Zhang is truly fortunate."

“Master Yin is too modest. The Heavenly Eagle Sect is full of talented people. My nephew Gu Xu has come here to bring my fifth brother back to the mountain. It’s a good opportunity to discuss this with Master Yin,” Yu Lianzhou changed the subject.

"Oh, I wonder what Master Gu Xu's plans are?" Yin Tianzheng could also see that although Yu Lianzhou was his senior master, he listened to Gu Xu very much.

“Senior Yin, I have no plans. Since Fifth Uncle is a Wudang disciple, he should return to Wudang openly and honestly. If he encounters someone who doesn’t know what’s good for him, the sword in the hand of a Wudang disciple will not discriminate,” Gu Xu stood up and replied.

Hearing Gu Xuyu's calm yet murderous tone, Yin Tianzheng was startled. He then chuckled and said, "Since that's the case, my daughter will go with you. After all, a woman follows her husband wherever he goes." Yin Tianzheng didn't want the couple to be separated, and Zhang Sanfeng's birthday was just around the corner, so he had to go no matter what.

"Senior Yin, before I left, my senior master gave me an invitation and a letter, saying that I must deliver them to you," Gu Xu said, taking out a gold-embossed invitation and a letter and handing them to a servant standing beside him, who then handed them to Yin Tianzheng.

Yin Tianzheng was slightly taken aback by Gu Xu's words. Although his daughter had married Zhang Cuishan, his identity was special and he belonged to a different category than Wu Tiandang Ying. Wasn't he afraid of damaging his reputation by doing this?

While pondering, Yin Tianzheng opened the envelope and read it for a while. His expression remained unchanged, but in his heart, he held the Wudang Sect in even higher regard.

In his letter, Song Yuanqiao wrote that his master did not place much importance on sectarianism. If a righteous person does evil, then he is an evil person; if a person from an evil sect does good, then he is a good person. It has always been difficult to distinguish right from wrong, and now that the two sects have become in-laws, what is there to be upset about?

Furthermore, it was mentioned that the master's 100th birthday celebration would certainly not be peaceful. The fifth brother and his wife were involved with the Dragon-Slaying Saber and Xie Xun, and the various sects would definitely make trouble for them. Although Wudang was not afraid, unexpected things were bound to happen. Therefore, the Eagle Sect was specially invited to go.

Song Yuanqiao spoke clearly, and Yin Tianzheng could tell that he was not lying. He immediately said, "Daoist Gu Xu, please thank Sect Leader Song for me. I will send my son to the banquet."

"Wild King, tomorrow you will take Wufu, Wulu, and Wushou with you to the Wudang heroes to celebrate their birthdays," Yin Tianzheng said, having specially assigned three skilled men to help him out of concern for the road ahead.

Just as everyone had finished discussing the matter, someone came in to report that the Kunlun and other sects had arrived outside the main altar and were making a fuss about demanding that the Tianying Sect hand over Zhang Cuishan.

A murderous glint suddenly appeared in Yin Tianzheng's eyes. Upon seeing this, Yu Lianzhou said, "Sect Leader Yin, this matter is not worth your attention. We can handle it ourselves." Yin Tianzheng pondered for a moment and then nodded.

Xi Hua Zi, who was outside making a big show of demanding people, saw Yu Lian Zhou leading a group of Wudang disciples and Yin Ye Wang leading a large number of Tianying Sect members. With their numbers outnumbered, their momentum faltered, but Xi Hua Zi still forced himself to stand firm and asked in a tough voice, "Second Hero Yu, does your Wudang sect intend to collude with the Tianying Sect and isolate itself from the six major sects?"

Hearing this, Yu Lianzhou felt even more disdainful. However, since he was not on the same level as Gu Xu and had only come out to bolster his prestige, he remained silent and gave the main seat to Gu Xu.

Gu Xuke was not so polite to Xi Huazi. He said right away, "This is a matter of my Wudang Sect. It has nothing to do with you. You are meddling too much. Also, if you are here for the matter of Fifth Uncle, then you should wait until we return to Wudang. If anyone makes trouble, Wudang will not show any mercy."

Others were one thing, but Xi Hua Zi, seeing that Gu Xu was not even as old as himself yet still dared to speak so arrogantly, immediately shouted angrily: "Boy, you are too arrogant. Zhang Cuishan is related to Xie Xun's whereabouts. Today, you must give us an explanation no matter what. Your Wudang Sect is not all-powerful."

But as soon as Xi Hua Zi finished speaking, Yin Ye Wang said coldly, "You dare to act wildly on the territory of my Tianying Sect? You really don't know your place. If you know what's good for you, get out of here right now, or you'll come in standing and leave lying down." With that order, all the members of the Tianying Sect drew their weapons, their killing intent palpable as they faced the other side.

Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Dou An of the Kongtong Sect hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. Pei Feng of the Huashan Sect also stepped forward to mediate. The two were quite eloquent and soon defused the tense situation. However, Xi Hua Zi acted like a petty person and lost face.

Gu Xu gave Huashan and Kongtong face, promising to give them a reply once Zhang Cuishan returned to Wudang. Huashan and the other sects, having received confirmation, were unwilling to continue their confrontation with the two major sects and withdrew first, leaving only Kunlun Sect to continue the entanglement.

"If the Kunlun Sect doesn't leave, don't blame Wudang for not showing any compassion," Gu Xu warned one last time. Yu Lianzhou and the others drew their swords. Wei Siniang's expression changed drastically. Without saying a word, she quickly pulled Xihua Zi away and disappeared from sight in no time.

(End of this chapter)